Governance

we are committed to transparency and compliance.

Our reach is GLOBAL
We are a registered Portuguese non-profit Associacao Ambiental, NIPC 516.014.374, operating under EU law,

Our bylaws are found here.
Our Assembly-, Executive and Fiscal Board Members are presented below.
Individual Members are welcome without mandatory membership fees, categorised as individual members without voting rights - only paying associates, honorary associates and board members have voting rights.
Our Business Associate program was launched 2024 to welcome Business and Institutions that share our cause, to support Ocean Community outreach, operations, knowledge- and open innovation programs.

Executive Board

Susanne Wedin-Schildt

Susanne brings extensive experience in leading teams across diverse markets and industries. With a career spanning large enterprises and top Global Management Consulting firms, she has served as a trusted advisor to CxOs on strategic assignments. Susanne is passionate about harnessing IT to drive sustainable business growth and is currently focused on sustainable and regenerative innovation.

She is actively involved in various business, advisory, and jury boards within the green and blue sectors. A dedicated advocate for the environment, Susanne moved from Sweden to Portugal in 2020 with a mission to protect and sustainably utilize the ocean. She is also a sailor and enjoys surfing and hiking along the Portuguese Silver Coast. Beyond her professional achievements, Susanne is a devoted animal lover and a champion of plant-based living, committed to creating a sustainable future for all.

Founder & Partnerships

Presidente da Direcção

Christina Friberg

Co-Founder &

Secretário da Direcção

Christina has extensive experience in management roles and leadership positions in the finance industry and global consulting firms, specializing in business and product development, innovation, corporate strategy, and change management. A thought leader and expert in the payments industry, she has held various CxO positions. A lifelong resident near the Swedish coastline, Christina is passionate about ocean sports, particularly sailing. Her primary focus is on addressing environmental and food challenges through innovative solutions and sustainable, circular economic models. Christina is dedicated to tackling the UN's Sustainable Development Goals by identifying promising start-up ideas and creating compelling business cases for investors.

Carlos Lobo

Founding Partner,

Lobo Carmona & Associados,

Secretário da Direcção

Carlos Lobo is a member of the OCC Executive Board with roots in the Silver Coast of Portugal and a strong advocate for SMART urbanization and digitalization of the Public Sector. Carlos has been a Partner and Manager at the Tax Department of EY Portugal and has held positions as Secretary of State for Tax Affairs, Deputy to the Office of the Minister of Finance and served as an Advisor to the Office of the Minister of Finance. Carlos has a PhD in Law and is a professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of Lisbon, where he has also held positions as the Vice-rector and Pro-rector. Carlos is the Founding Partner of Lobo, Carmona and Associates in Lisbon.

Assembly Board

Mafalda de Taborda Lourenço

Nunes & Taborda Lourenço, Lawyers

Presidente, Assembleia Geral

Mafalda is the first chairwoman of the OCC Assembly Board, and an innovative and successful attorney. Mafalda is passionate about justice, court procedures and environmental responsibility.

Mafalda has lived all her life by the ocean and is an active member of the Lourinhã coastal community and west coastal region in Portugal, contributing to ecological initiatives and promoting a zero-waste-lifestyle.

Sérgio Leandro

SmartOCEAN Peniche and IPL Leira ESTM,

Primeiro Secretário da Assembleia Geral

Sergio is the Director of the School of Tourism and Maritime Technology of Polytechnic Institute of Leiria (ESTM-IPLeiria) and Scientific coordinator of SmartOcean - Science and Maritime Technology Park, Peniche, Portugal. He is also a member of the MAB UNESCO Portuguese national committee and Co-Manager of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Berlengas. Sérgio is also a member of the MARE research unit, and a principal researcher of FCT Portugal and FEAMP projects within Marine Ecology, Marine Biotechnology, Fisheries and Aquaculture and Ocean Literacy.

Ann Carpenter

Founder & CEO, Braid Theory

Secretário,

Assembleia Geral

Ann Lee Carpenter, the co-founder and CEO of Braid Theory, serves as an advisor to deep tech companies in ocean/maritime, transportation and goods movement, and related industrial sectors. She brings more than 30 years of experience in strategic planning, marketing, business development, and community outreach. Braid Theory, located at AltaSea in the Port of Los Angeles, focuses on efforts to grow a sustainable blue economy with pre-accelerator, accelerator and venture studio programs targeting blue economy entrepreneurs. These world leading programs connect seamlessly to Ocean Community Challenge for the awarded teams after completing OC acceleration preparation program, and final qualification assessment.

Fiscal Board

Vanessa Domingos

Presidente, Conselho Fiscal

Vanessa, born and raised in Lisbon, Portugal, finds energy and inspiration in the ocean, enjoying water sports like swimming and surfing and holding a coastal boat license. She holds an MSc in Chemical Engineering - Quality & Environment and a Postgraduate Degree in Integrated Quality, Environment Management Systems. With 14 years of experience in the Pharmaceutical Industry, Vanessa focuses on project management and laboratory team supervision. Passionate about sustainability and Blue Circular Economy projects, she is committed to sharing ocean knowledge to inspire ocean-friendly decisions.

Valdemar Reis

Branch Manager,

Credit Agricola Bank,

Conselho Fiscal

Valdemar works as branch manager for Credit Agricola, also referred to as the "Green Bank" die to its historical ties to farming. It is the world's largest cooperative financial Institution.Valdemar is a strong promotor of environmental and social sustainability and sustainable ventures. He supports his local Portuguese community as President of A.M.A/

Associação musical da Atalaia.

Douglas Daberius

Conselho Fiscal

Douglas, born in the US, lived in France, Sweden and now Portugal, is a seasoned global leader with experience from multi-markets. He is technology and telecommunications expert, and also works as a professional coach for leaders in that domain. He is passionate about kitesurfing and as such he is highly ocean aware and an advocate for sustainable ocean practices.